Moisture Evaluator: a direct measure of fingertip skin hydration during object manipulation.
OBJECTIVE
The mechanical properties of the fingertip skin are very important when studying dexterous manipulation. These properties are strongly influenced by the level of skin hydration. Currently, there is no device capable of measuring skin moisture during object manipulation.


METHODS
Skin moisture levels during object manipulation were measured using the Moisture Evaluator, a probe consisting of gold-covered electrodes connected to a resistor-capacitor circuit. In vivo calibration was performed by comparison with measurements obtained using a Corneometer at two normal force levels (0.2 and 2 N).


RESULTS
Measurements from the Moisture Evaluator were well correlated with those from the Corneometer.


CONCLUSIONS
A new device for evaluating skin moisture at the fingertip has been designed and validated.
André
T
T
Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Unit, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
De Wan
M
M
Lefèvre
P
P
Thonnard
J-L
JL
D000328:Adult; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010992:Plethysmography, Impedance / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*
D014867:Water